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January 10, 2025 The INNformer PAGE C1 INNformer 10TH EDITION SUPPLEMENT ARTS Rachel Dennison’s art brings Wonderland to Appalachia By ASHLEY JOHNSON Recently, the Monongalia Arts Center (MAjubC)jub b ird, jabberwocky and bandersnatch. SMITHFIELD — Have you ever wondered what featured Dennison’s “Wild and WonderlanAlid: ce’s “drink me” potion to make her shrink? Alice’s Adventures in Appalachia” mixed media Moonshine. Alice’s “eat me” treats to make her it would be like if Alice’s infamous adventures led her to the foothills of Appalachia instead of exhibit in their Benedum Gallery. Of this exhibit, grow? Pepperoni rolls. “The Rabbit and the Carroll’s Wonderland? One woman’s art reimag- Dennison told the MAC, “West Virginia has long Hare” companion canvases hide a reference to ines the story that many of us have been famil- been a wild, wonderful and “tea time” if you look closely. Morel mushrooms, iar with since childhood. weird place. We are a cul- a monarch caterpillar and the Mothman ture uniquely Appalachian even make an appearance in A Smithfield resident, Rachel Dennison earned that is easily overlooked by the works. her bachelor’s degree in creative arts therapy other regions... With this from West Liberty University in 2017. Since then, exhibit, I combine the she has been working to establish a name for worlds of Appalachia and herself. In the past seven years, Dennison has Lewis Carroll’s Wonder- participated in 22 different group and juried ex- land. Bringing the hibitions all over the state of West Virginia. She whimsy and, at times, has also held three solo exhibitions within the slightly macabre feel of past year. Wonderland to the Oglebayfest nominated Dennison as their 2018 flora, fauna and fungi of our state.” Dennison Up and Coming Artist. She has also been fea- invited guests to “fall tured in interviews with WVPBS radio station and the Hashtag WV newspaper. In 2021, Den- down the rabbit hole” with her ex- nison became a Tamarack juried artist and in 2022 was chosen as a Tamarack Foundation for hibit. the Arts fellow. Her work has been featured in Exhibit visitors YNST magazine (2023, issue 2) and this year she could see painted was selected as the 2024 Waymakers Collective tea pots, animal Queer Artist Liberation Fund grantee. statues, mush- Dennison is currently filling a long-term, substi- rooms and bugs as part of the mixed tute, art teacher position at Valley High School media items. Dennison’s canvas in Pine Grove. There, she teaches students in paintings combined both themes from Carroll’s grades 9-12. Dennison describes herself as a creator and says her work “focuses on the inter- Wonderland and Appalachia. There were chic- section of everyday and surreal.” Her whimsical ory, maypop, magnolia, and peony flowers with faces. Alice and companion can be seen having paintings often focus on personal growth and societal issues, described through natural ele- “Crawdad Races.” Although Dennison’s exhibit has ended at the ments. Having been raised in a rmotee, rural Appalachian animals such as the bobcat, great MAC, you can find photos and videos from the blue heron, whitetail deer, copperhead snake, event on her Facebook page, “Rachel Dennison area, Dennison said she “quickly learned that having a vivid imagination made for more ex- and black bear can also be found when looking Paintings,” or on her Instagram account citing adventures.” at Dennison’s versions of Carroll’s cheshire cat, @rldwvart. See more photos of her art on C2. Fiction Photography Poetry Artwork Kay Flowers C3 Timothy Brown D4 Rose Abbott C4 Rachel Dennison C2 Rose Abbott C4 Karen McElroy D5 Hilda Steen C6 Betty Ricer C6 River HS Art students D1-D3 Karen McElroy D5 Ann Hendley D5 Constance M. Crowley D6
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